Police: Dance teacher abused boy for 8 years

Update: Northeast Ballet says Timothy McGuire was hired in 1998 for a production of the Nutcracker and an additional piece in a Christmas program. He did not teach any of Myers School of Ballet students.

A popular Glens Falls dance instructor was arrested by State Police Wednesday for allegedly having sexual contact with a student for nearly a decade.

Timothy McGuire, owner and operator of the Tim McGuire Dance Centre in Glens Falls, was charged Wednesday with second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, a felony. The 49-year-old, who produced an annual Nutcracker performance in the city for many years, allegedly committed two or more acts of sexual contact with an underage dance student of his from 1998 to 2006, according to court documents.

The defendant in the case had occasionally stayed overnight in McGuire’s apartment at 144 Glen St., when he was 6- to 18-years-old, he and McGuire said in court papers. The teenager told police that McGuire had repeatedly touched his penis, made him touch his penis and masturbated in front of him, court papers said. Some of the alleged abuse occurred when the boy was in seventh and eighth grades, court papers say.

In announcing the arrest on Thursday, State Police said they strongly believe that McGuire may have victimized additional underage students or children.

“We are asking the parents of his current and former students to speak with their children about their contact with him,” State Trooper Maureen Tuffey said. Anyone with additional information about McGuire should call State Police at 583-7000 or Glens Falls Police at 761-3840.

McGuire has owned and operated the Glens Falls dance studio for 31 years. The former performer with the New York City Ballet, the Houston Jazz Ballet Co. and Oleg Briansky.

McGuire often teaches tap and jazz classes, and his students range in age from 3 to 60. He’s also a costume designer.

Timothy McGuire, owner and operator of the Tim McGuire Dance Centre in Glens Falls, was charged Wednesday with second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, a felony. The 49-year-old, who produced an annual Nutcracker performance in the city for many years, allegedly committed two or more acts of sexual contact with an underage dance student of his from 1998 to 2006, according to court documents.